Chief Procurement Officer

The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission (Commission) is seeking a versatile and motivated Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) to join its dynamic and growing organization in Agawam, MA.

Commission employees are the stewards of clean water for the lower Pioneer Valley. Our work protects public health and the environment by providing drinking water, fire protection, forest stewardship, clean rivers and streams, and wastewater treatment.

The Commission is looking for a professional who wants to be a part of something bigger than themselves and join a team committed to serving the public by providing essential services.

The Commission is a dynamic work organization with a fast-paced environment and a plethora of capital projects as well as upgrades and maintenance projects in the city and in the watershed.

The CPO directs, supervises, and coordinates all purchasing activities of the Commission and serves as an expert resource in public purchasing to all Commission departments.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced administrator (Chief Procurement Officer, Purchasing Agent, or similar position) of purchasing operations which operate on justified requisition based on stores control with perpetual inventories of stock on hand.

For information about the Commission and its capital projects, please watch this video .

The primary duties of the position include but are not limited to :

• Writes bid specifications, advertises to solicit responses to requests for proposals / invitations to bid in accordance with MGL 30B, 30,39M, and 149, and accepts and opens all bid in accordance with statutory requirements.
• Conducts pre-bid sessions and pre-construction meetings, responds to questions concerning the bidding process, and issues addenda as required to all registered bidders.
• Produces procurement-related correspondence such as award / rejection letters, return of bid deposits, and letters of consideration to be presented to the Board of Commissioners

Ensures compliance with all Central Register requirements and Goods and Services requirements under MGL Ch. 30B,3039M, 149, 7C.

• Works with Directors to dispose of Commission surplus supplies, vehicles and personal property in accordance with MGL c 30B.
• Evaluates requests for exceptions to existing procurement policies and makes recommendations to appropriate authority relative to accommodation of the request.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and / or abilities required for this position :

• Extensive knowledge of purchasing principles, practices and ordinances, rules and regulations governing municipal procurement.
• Thorough knowledge of the various types of insurance and surety bonds required in municipal management.
• Ability to devise and install procurement procedures and methods.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with office officials, vendors and others.
• Ability to supervise and participate in the preparation of specifications, the analysis of bids, and a variety of other purchasing functions.
• Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite, such as Outlook, Word, and Excel and MUNIS. Experience with Springbrook, MUNIS or similar procurement platform preferred.

The successful applicant must have a BA / BS degree in business with major coursework in business administration.

Certification as a Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) is required.

The successful candidate will have at least five (5) years of experience in a position of major responsibility in the purchasing field.

The expected hiring range for this position is $95,000-$105,000 (actual salary offer will depend upon experience, knowledge, and skills).

The Commission may consider applicants who do not meet all of the job requirements at a modified hiring range. The Commission offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance (with dental), four (4) weeks paid vacation, paid sick and personal days, and paid holidays.

Employees of the Commission participate in the Massachusetts PERAC pension system and years of service in a PERAC plan are transferable (subject to the rules of the Springfield Retirement Board).

A complete job description is available upon request.

Anticipated start date is January 6, 2025.

To apply, please upload a letter of interest and a resume by Sunday, November 17, 2024.